of local heritage that needs preservation. The ritual remains highly revered, especially in rural areas and New Delhi. Since many Kumauni and Gadwali live in Delhi and are unable go to villages every year for Jagar, they have initiated Jagar in Delhi. Participants Jagariya The Jagariya (जगरिया) is the singer of the ballads of the gods who leads the rituals and invokes the gods by calling upon them. The Jagariya is assisted by two or more men who sing along with him in chorus. Dangariya The Dangariya (डगरिया) is the Shaman, whose body is used by the gods when they incarnate. The word Dangariya comes from the Kumaoni word Dangar, which means way. The Dangariya is the one who shows the way for the gods. Syonkar The Syonkar (स्योंकर) is the person who has organized the Jagar to seek divine intervention to his problems. The Jagar is held at the Syonkar's home. Duration The Jagar can be organised for one day- "Dishunsi" (दिशूंसि) three days—Dhinali (धिनाली) eleven days twenty-two days—Baisi (बैसी) Preparations The room in which the Jagar is to be performed is purified by processes closely administered by the Jagar singer, or Jagariya. The Dhuni (धुनी), or sacred fire, is lit for the Homa. Instruments The musical instruments used are the Hurka (हुड़का),damaru or doonr(डोंर), Dhol (ढोल), Damau (दमाऊ), and Thali (थाली), all of which are percussion instruments native to Uttarakhand played by professional musicians. Rituals Sanjhwali Geet In Sanjhvali Geet (साँझवली गीत), all gods are remembered, their names are repeated, and they are asked for assistance for a successful completion of the Jagar. The following text is an excerpt from the Sanjhvali Geet of deity Gangnath (in Kumaoni language): जै गुरु-जै गुरु माता पिता गुरु देवत तब तुमरो नाम छू इजाऽऽऽऽऽऽ यो रुमनी-झूमनी संध्या का बखत में॥ तै बखत का बीच में, संध्या जो झुलि रै। बरम का बरम लोक में, बिष्णु का बिष्णु लोक में, राम की अजुध्या में, कृष्ण की द्वारिका में, यो संध्या जो झुलि रै, शम्भु का कैलाश में, ऊँचा हिमाल, गैला पताल में, Birtwai During the Birtwai (बिर्त्वाई), the divine spirit being called upon is praised, and ballads related to his or her adventures and life are sung out loud. The following text is an excerpt from the Birtwai of deity Bala Goria (in Kumaoni language): गोरियाऽऽऽऽऽऽ दूदाधारी छै, कृष्ण अबतारी छै। मामू को अगवानी छै, पंचनाम द्याप्तोंक भाँणिज छै, तै बखत का